Influenza is caused by a virus. Symptoms usually tend to appear right away. If symptoms occur, they are usually mild and can include: fever, cough, feeling tired, body aches, sore throat, and a stuffy nose.

Sometimes, serious symptoms can occur. Disclaimer: If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, please go to emergency or call 911:

• • Severe difficulty breathing
• • Pain that feels like pressure or tightening in your chest
• • Bluish skin color
• • Feeling confused
• • Coughing up blood
• • Seizure

If you are experiencing mild symptoms, your pharmacist may be able to prescribe an antiviral medication called Tamiflu to prevent serious symptoms that can lead to hospitalization. Tamiflu needs to be taken within the first 2 days of your symptoms starting.

If you have been given documented instructions to receive preventative treatment for influenza due to an outbreak, please present this to the pharmacist.